HXC Chapter77

Shen Yanqing’s official seal has been approved and he was to take up the post of Cishi in Jiangnan by moving his entire family there.

 

The courtyard was piled high with belongings. Ji An and Yu He, while bickering, excitedly moved the chests and bundles outside. The items alone filled an entire carriage.

 

Father’s and Mother Shen’s luggage was simple, only enough for the carriage they would ride in. The whole group was bustling around and busy without a moment’s rest.

 

Earlier, Divine Physician Sai had said that the scenery of Jiangnan was good for people and very beneficial for health. Ji Zhen was naturally happy to be able to settle in Jiangnan with Shen Yanqing, yet he also couldn’t bear to leave his elder brother, who was still in the capital.

 

In the past few days, he had visited the Ji Mansion many times. At night, the thought of not being able to see his elder brother often in the future made him feel quite forlorn.

 

Fortunately, the situation was now stable and Ji Zhen could visit the capital at any time, which brought him some relief.

 

After all the belongings were packed, Ji Jue came to see them off and rode with them in the carriage all the way to the city gates.

 

“Once I get to Jiangnan, I’ll definitely write to you every month, Gege, and you must write back to me,” Ji Zhen said while sniffing. “When your court duties ease up, come find me in Jiangnan. I’ll take you around to sightseeing.”

 

Ji Jue smiled and advised, “It rains a lot in Jiangnan, so you should always carry an umbrella when you go out and don’t get into arguments with people. If you encounter a tricky situation, consult Shen Yanqing first and don’t act impulsively on your own.” Then he said to Shen Yanqing, “Please take good care of Zhen Zhen.”

 

Shen Yanqing nodded. “That is my duty.”

 

The group chatted and laughed all the way to the city gates. As they lifted the curtain, they saw Jiang Yunyu standing by the wall.

 

In another month, Jiang Yunyu would be heading to the Northern Desert and wouldn’t return to the capital until after the New Year. It was uncertain when they would see each other again so he had made a special trip to see Ji Zhen off.

 

Ji Zhen jumped down from the carriage and ran over happily. “Gege said you were tied up with court duties today, so I thought you weren’t going to come see me off.”

 

Jiang Yunyu raised an eyebrow slightly. “I can still find a little bit of free time.” He then added, “Be careful on the road.”

 

Ji Zhen nodded heavily. “You too, be careful with everything.” He pursed his lips and finally said, “Wait for me here. I have something for you.”

 

As he spoke, he walked over to his elder brother. “Gege, I’ll give it back to him myself.”

 

Ji Jue then handed the small, square wooden box to Ji Zhen.

 

Jiang Yunyu already had a hunch, and the ten fingers hanging by his side clenched slightly.

 

Ji Zhen returned, lifted Jiang Yunyu’s hand, placed the wooden box in his palm, and said in a low voice, “I know you’re good to me, but precisely because of that, I have to give this item back to you… Jiang Yunyu, I hope we can always be the best confidants and friends. In the future, we can ride horses, go sightseeing, and drink and have fun together.”

 

He slowly closed Jiang Yunyu’s five fingers to make him grasp the box tightly, then withdrew his hand.

 

Jiang Yunyu put his slightly twitching fingers and the wooden box behind his back, saying with a carefree look, “I’d like to race horses with you, but I can’t say your horsemanship is anything to commend.”

 

Seeing his easygoing demeanor, Ji Zhen also laughed and said, “Then let’s compete at touhu and ring toss. I definitely won’t lose to you.”

 

Jiang Yunyu raised his other hand, out if understanding, Ji Zhen slapped his palm.

 

“It’s a deal.”

 

“En, it’s a deal.”

 

Jiang Yunyu looked over Ji Zhen’s shoulder at Shen Yanqing and smiled with an openhearted expression. “Go on. If you wait any longer, you won’t be able to get out of the capital before dark.”

 

Ji Zhen and Shen Yanqing stood in front of the carriage, bowed to Ji Jue and then got back into the carriage.

 

As the wheels rolled, Ji Zhen leaned half his body out of the window and waved to Ji Jue and Jiang Yunyu at the city gate. “Gege, Jiang Yunyu, take care—”

 

Jiang Yunyu slowly opened the wooden box, held the broken arrowhead in his palm, and whispered, “Ji Zhen, farewell.”

 

—

 

The carriage made an unobstructed journey to the gentle waterfront town.

 

Shen Yanqing wasn’t due to take office for another ten days, so he didn’t report to the local government immediately. Instead, he and Ji Zhen spent their time sightseeing.

 

It was here that Ji Zhen learned Shen Yanqing had already arranged everything through others. After Shen Yanqing took office, the two would live in the official residence provided by the court and separate from the Shen parents. They would only have meals together on the first and fifteenth of each month.

 

Father Shen had no official position so he was relaxed and carefree every day, he spent his leisure time playing chess with people in the market. Mother Shen remained devoted to Buddhism, kneeling in the prayer hall all day. Ji Zhen saw them only a handful of times and on the occasions he did, he would just nod in a somewhat distant manner, which was considered peaceful.

 

The two of them ate and drank their way through the Jiangnan region, enjoying a leisure they had never experienced before. However, shortly after they left today, they encountered an infuriating situation.

 

There was no snow in Jiangnan. The early winter season was filled with a lingering chill.

 

Shen Yanqing and Ji Zhen were eating steaming hot wontons at a small market stall. The wontons had thin wrappers and generous fillings, and as they ate them one by one, the warmth rose through their clothes, spreading through their entire bodies.

 

Ji Zhen was wearing a lot of clothes, and after eating something hot, his neck felt a bit warm. Seeing his cheeks flush, Shen Yanqing placed his slightly cool hand on his cheek and said, “Eat slowly.”

 

The coolness effectively relieved Ji Zhen’s heat. He let out a satisfied sigh, put down his spoon, and burped. “I’m full.”

 

Shen Yanqing called the stall owner to pay and placed four copper coins in his hand.

 

The two of them were good-looking, and even with their simple attire, they attracted a lot of attention. The stall owner said with a cheerful laugh, “The Two Young Masters are very good-looking. I’ve never seen you two before.”

 

Shen Yanqing replied, “We just settled here recently.”

 

“Is it a short stay or a long-term one?”

 

Ji Zhen chimed in, “Long-term.”

 

The stall owner was about to say something more when a commotion suddenly broke out ahead. Shen Yanqing and Ji Zhen followed the sound and saw a burly man angrily saying something at a small stall. It looked like a dispute had broken out with him now grabbing the stall owner by the collar and shouting.

 

“Tong Tianhu…” The wonton stall owner looked terrified.

 

Ji Zhen asked, “What Tong Tianhu?”

 

“You two don’t know, this Tong Tianhu is the sworn brother of our county magistrate. He usually makes a living by collecting protection silver. If anyone doesn’t pay, he gives them a good beating. We do small business, and he has a backer. We can’t afford to mess with him nor can we beat him, but where are we supposed to get so much silver to give him…?”

 

The stall owner sighed.

 

Ji Zhen slammed the table. “This is outrageous!”

 

With that, he was about to rush forward but his wrist was grabbed.

 

Shen Yanqing said, “You’ve forgotten again, this isn’t the capital. In everything…”

 

“I know to think twice before acting, but are we just supposed to let him bully people?” Ji Zhen struggled twice but couldn’t get free. A thought came to him and he instead hugged Shen Yanqing’s arm. “You’re so good at martial arts. Please help him, Shen Yanqing—”

 

The last three words were almost drawn out.

 

Shen Yanqing looked down at Ji Zhen’s bright, dark eyes. For a moment, he let out a light sigh, half-helpless, half-indulgent.

 

Everyone watched as Tong Tianhu’s fist, just raised and not yet fallen on the stall owner’s face, was gently brushed aside. It was a very light, easy motion, yet it made the big, strong Tong Tianhu take two steps back.

 

Tong Tianhu stared at Shen Yanqing with a dropped jaw and cursed, “Where did this pretty boy come from? You even dared to interfere with my business?”

 

Shen Yanqing looked composed. When Tong Tianhu charged forward, he quickly defused the opponent’s messy, brute-force moves with a few blows. In less than ten moves, Tong Tianhu was sent flying like a broken sack and landing hard on the ground. He groaned and couldn’t even stand up.

 

Seeing this, Ji Zhen ran up and raised his chin triumphantly. “I don’t care if you’re a two-eyed leopard or a Tong Tianhu[mfn]The Hu in his name is translated as tiger[/mfn]. Today, I’ll beat you into a grounded rat!”

 

Tong Tianhu’s face was grim. “Do you two know who I am?”

 

Ji Zhen stood beside Shen Yanqing and scoffed, “You’re just the County Magistrate’s sworn brother. Do you know who is by my side…”

 

Shen Yanqing covered Ji Zhen’s mouth with his hand.

 

Taking advantage of this moment, Tong Tianhu scampered away in a panicked mess.

 

The surrounding onlookers were both grateful that Shen Yanqing and Ji Zhen had stood up against injustice and worried that Tong Tianhu would take his anger out on them later. They didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

 

Shen Yanqing and Ji Zhen didn’t stay long and soon left the bustling market.

 

“Why didn’t you let me finish just now?”

 

“Acting cautiously…”

 

As soon as he heard Shen Yanqing was about to lecture him again, Ji Zhen quickly changed the subject. “There’s something lively to see over there, let’s go…”

 

Two days later, Shen Yanqing took office with his official seal, had Tong Tianhu arrested, and also held the county magistrate who had sheltered the bully accountable. Only then did the common people realize that the person they had seen in the market was the newly appointed governor of Jiangnan. For a time, they were full of praise for him.

 

The night before they moved to the official residence, Shen Yanqing and Ji Zhen bid farewell to the Shen parents and had a meal together.

 

During the meal, it was mostly Shen Yanqing who spoke, talking about daily family matters. Father and Mother Shen occasionally responded with one or two words. Although they had known each other for many years, Ji Zhen felt awkward and kept his head down the entire time. The atmosphere was still considered harmonious.

 

After the meal was cleared, Shen Yanqing said, “I have a few things to say to Father and Mother. Would you mind waiting for me outside in the courtyard?”

 

Ji Zhen was more than happy to do so, so he scampered off in a flash.

 

He stood outside but he was also very curious and peeked his head back in. He only saw Shen Yanqing bowing to his parents, but he couldn’t hear what he was saying.

 

After about a quarter of an hour, he saw Mother Shen sitting on a stool with red eyes as Shen Yanqing came out.

 

Ji Zhen took Shen Yanqing’s hand as they strolled under the moonlight while talking about unimportant things. When they arrived at their living quarters, he finally couldn’t hold back anymore and asked, “What did you say to your father and mother?”

 

Shen Yanqing motioned for Ji Zhen to sit down and said softly, “Mother had many misunderstandings. You have been wronged these past few days.”

 

Meeting Shen Yanqing’s clear, bright gaze, Ji Zhen was slightly stunned.

 

Shen Yanqing placed his palm on Ji Zhen’s face and gently caressed it. “It won’t happen again in the future.”

 

“Once we arrive at the official residence, if you don’t feel like moving about, it’s also fine not to come back on the first and fifteenth days of the month, alright?”

 

Ji Zhen sniffed his slightly sore nose and muffled out an “alright.”

 

Shen Yanqing smiled and walked to the table. He opened a box and took out a water chestnut cake wrapped in cloth.

 

Ji Zhen had barely spoken and hadn’t eaten much earlier. Now that he smelled the aroma of the cake, he gave a sweet smile.

 

He took a bite of the water chestnut cake with some tea and said indistinctly, “I want to eat wontons again tomorrow!”

 

“We’ll go eat once everything is settled at the official residence.”

 

“I also want to go buy some items to decorate our new home.”

 

“The day after tomorrow.”

 

Ji Zhen smiled, then remembered Tong Tianhu and asked tentatively, “Then can I go beat the tiger?”

 

Shen Yanqing didn’t even have to think to know what Ji Zhen was talking about and laughed wryly. “Abusing power is not the way of an official.”

 

Ji Zhen leaned against Shen Yanqing and grumbled, “I was just saying it casually, Shen Yanqing…”

 

“Lord Shen—”

 

One called, and the other responded. It didn’t feel boring at all.

 

The author has something to say:

Lord Shen (showing off like a peacock): My wife admires me so much. I’ll show off a little for my wife!